HB1218
Regarding The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; To Authorize The Department Of Human Services To Restore Or Reimburse For Stolen Benefits In Certain Circumstances; And To Create The Client Overpayment Fund.
Last Action (Jan. 24, 2023): WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1218 establishes the 'Client Overpayment Fund' within the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). This fund is designated to provide restoration or reimbursement for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that have been stolen due to third-party fraud. To be eligible for these reimbursements, recipients must have had no involvement in the fraud and must not be able to recover the stolen benefits through other means, such as federal programs. The Secretary of the DHS is tasked with managing the distribution of these funds efficiently, noting that full restoration of stolen benefits is subject to the total amount of money available in the fund. The bill creates a legal framework for the state to provide assistance to SNAP beneficiaries who fall victim to benefit theft.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are low-income individuals and families participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) who have had their benefits stolen by third-party fraudsters and have no other means of recovery.
Who Might Suffer?
The bill does not directly negatively impact specific individuals, though it imposes a fiscal responsibility on the state's budget. Taxpayers could be considered impacted to the extent that state funds are appropriated to the Client Overpayment Fund, and potential applicants could be affected if the fund is exhausted, as the bill explicitly states that full restoration of stolen benefits may not be possible depending on funding availability.
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